Wednesday, March 14, 2007

Labour CLP TULO training with Assembly members














On Saturday, Labour Party "Trade Union Liaison Officers" (TULO), from all over London met up at a training event with Labour Greater London Assembly members John Biggs, Valerie Shawcross and Murad Qureshi (see pic with UNISON members Louise Couling and Fazlul Chowdhury). There were speakers from London Labour Party regional office and London Labour Board. The event was organised by London TULO and there were trade union CLP officers from all parts of London present. All of whom were Labour Party members who are also trade union affiliates to individual London Constituencies. There were trade union members from Amicus, ASLEF, CWU, GMB, MU, TGWU, TSSA, UCATT, UNISON and USDAW.

It may be helpful to explain that in London, the Labour Party (usually) organises around Parliamentary Constituencies (CLP). In each CLP there should be a Trade Union Liaison Officer(CLP TULO), who is elected by the trade union affiliates to that CLP. Rather confusingly, there is also Trade Union and Labour Party Liaison Organisation (national TULO) which is the national body representing Labour Party Trade Union affiliates.

After speakers, there was a Q&A, followed by workshops. One of the main aims of the event was how as trade union affiliates we were going to support the Party in the GLA elections next year and in particular defeat the BNP.

I thought the event was a huge success and very encouraging. Trade unions have been a traditional source of finance for the Party. However, its organisational potential for electoral campaigning has not been fully utilised in recent times. Future training sessions have been planned. Watch this space.

3 comments:

Andrew Berry said...

So was there any questions or proposals about how the Trade unions could influence policy. Practically how we could change direction of the Party on privatisation, NHS cut, the disastrous reforms in education, Trident and Foreign Policy to name a few. Or was it like the last TULO event I attend were we are just expected to help the party without any return. See report on that event.

http://unionfutures.blogspot.com/2006/12/london-tulo-reception.html

John Gray said...

Andrew, it was a training event not a conference? There is plenty of opportunities to bring up the important question of TU influence. Either via the Party or your Union. There was a very good discussion on why there are not enough women active in (most) trade unions. However, TULO is not a student union debating society, we want to organise and do things, not just talk about them.

Must have a look at your post.

When are you going to send me your stuff about SWP/disRespect?

John Gray said...

Andrew never replied to my comment, so I posted this on his "union futures" blog.

He responded on his blog

"I did go to the event.

As for your second point maybe when you can at least start calling them by their name. Alternatively learn to Google"

so I have replied

Hi Andrew
I googled “Andrew Berry” and got:-
Andrew berry – jewellery
Andrew Berry - Reasons for being nice and having sex
Andrew Berry – Ugly Baby
I then googled “Andrew Berry Respect”
“Workers Action” (who on earth are they?) Article about “Abolish faith schools” is that it? You never actually mention what you disagree with disRespect about?
The “Should Berry Be Executed?
Respect the Dignity of His Choice” was I assume not about you?
Come on, stand up for your convictions, send me your true views about disRespect or are you concerned that they may no longer vote for you?